BEIJING: China is drawing up a four-year plan to improve the country's human rights record, which largely translates as higher living standards, a government official was quoted as saying.
Human rights are a sensitive subject in China, which complains that Western countries are unfairly critical and points to its success in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of povert
y in the last three decades. The new plan also comes after a widespread crackdown on dissidents, lawyers and other activists earlier this year.
The 2012-2015 blueprint is second of its kind and has the “aim of expanding democracy, enhancing rule of law, improving people's livelihood and safeguarding human rights”, said Wang Chen, director of State Council Information Office.
Draft riverfront reserve drawn up
The Greater Taree City Council has drawn up a draft blueprint for a popular riverfront reserve
The council’s Graham Schultz says management plan for the Kendall Reserve at Cundletown is due to go on display for public comment in June.
Mr Schultz says the plans include improved parking and better access to the reserve.
“We’ve also got some barbeque facilities and some shelters for the picnic areas,” he said.
“An awful lot of people go down there, it’s a very pleasant spot right on the river.”
He says the council has consulted with residents about its plans for the reserve’s future.
“We are putting together some ideas of what we’d like to put in the plan,” he said.
“Some of that does include angled parking for boats and trailers to actually access along the river, adjacent to the boat ramp there, which is not available at the moment.”